Simchat Torah

The feast of the giving of the Torah began last night. Jewish yeshivas were filled with joy (simchat) through songs and dances while the Torah was carried and passed from person to person. In ultra-orthodox quarters, the streets were segregated by gender. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/israel-high-court-upholds-ban-on-sukkot-gender-segregation-in-jerusalem-1.390265  The High Court will ban this segregation next year, though I doubt it will be effective. In ancient times, the drawing of water by the High Priest from the Pool of Siloam took place, the water being offered at the altar of the Temple and prayers said for rain. Usually it would then rain as a sign of God's blessing ... but today the sun is shining brightly.

And here is a video of the Priestly Blessing at the Wailing Wall on Sukkot. Too bad I missed it this year. The Hazzan (cantor) sings a verse and the priests repeat after him. At the end of each verse the people respond with Amen. The priests cover themselves with their tallit (prayer shawls) while extending their hands to do the blessing.